So now that we have a Prius, we would like to go on a coast-to-coast road trip (Vegas-Jersey). Google says it's a little over 2,500 miles but we might divert to some scenic spots. I was thinking of taking the northern part eastbound and southern part westbound. We've done this trip in the past but took the more common I80 route which cuts through the middle part of the country. Since I've always done it with gas-guzzling V8s (LR Discovery and BMW 740i), I'm quite excited to do it in a fuel sipping Prius. According to early calculations, if we stick to the 5,000-mile round trip, it would be less than $400 in gas! Woohoo! So for those that have done it in the Prius, can you please give me some tips/advice that are relevant to the Pruis/Hybrid system? For instance, is it okay to drive it straight-through the 2-2.5 days (which I don't plan to do) or how much rest for the Hybrid system is required? My wife and I typically alternate driving 1 full tank each. What kind of preparations are specific to a Hybrid car prior to taking such a trip? I will also attempt to document the trip (which we plan to do in late August) in this thread and possibly create a website about it. Here's a link to our previous coast-to-coast trip 7 yrs ago, for anyone who's interested. Any advice is appreciated. - Glenn
I dont think the hybrid system has to be treated differently as far as how long you drive it. I'd say make sure you check your tire pressure before the trip and during. Keep the car as light as possible and get the seat in the most comfy position you can. Other than that dont worry too much about the car and just enjoy driving it. I just had a 600+ mile roadtrip this past weekend and I thought the car performed great. Great gas mileage (of course) and the seats stayed very comfortable for me. My love for the car definitley went up a few notches during that trip. ENJOY!
Since the HV battery is better pampered when the car is Ready, the Hybrid system would be just as happy if you drove straight through. It is tough to get google maps to stay on scenic drives, but here are some near the southern route http://blueridgeparkway.indigofiles.com/directory_planner/Map_2010.pdf Natchez Trace Parkway - Map Main Map of the Talimena Scenic Drive Auto Tour Here is a site to find scenic drives in the USA: America's Byways
You may find that a full tank will take you further in the Prius than it did in your gas guzzlers. I drove my 04 on a similar trip a few years ago and had no problems. Like Smirv said, no special precautions, just drive and enjoy. I'm looking forward to your coverage of the trip here.
Last Aug we drove strait 18 hours from Cleveland, OH to Winter Haven, FL. It was a nonstop trip except one stop in Charlotte NC to get gas. I left the car running. The car did great job going down all the big hills using regenerative braking. I would recommend filling your tires to Front 49 Back 47 If possible stay at around 60-65MPH using cruise control. You will get 60+ MPG on your trip.
You also don't want to push it because it is as hard on the driver as it is on the car. Set your cruise control drop in a CD and enjoy the ride. The faster you drive the more mental strain your under. Plus a speeding ticket will ruin your whole trip. Believe me doing five over the limit isn't going to make you any real time. You may want to check out gas prices along the way to plan out your gas stops. It is a nice way to save on gas as you cross the United States. It is better to get gas before you cross a state border than after, only to find out it is 25 cents more. AAA Fuel Gauge Report If you click on the state name it will give you a more detailed picture of fuel prices around the state. For example Iowa is $2.61, Illinois is $2.83, Indiana is $2.68, Ohio is $2.63, Pennsylvania is 2.71, New Jersey is $2.62 Obviously you want to fill up in Iowa, Ohio or New Jersey before crossing into Illinois or Pennsylvania. May not look like much but saving a buck here and buck there adds up over 5,000 miles.
You'll need breaks more often than the car will. Especially if you're a coffee drinker. You'll likely find 49 psi gives you a rougher ride than you like, though certainly pressures above standard will yield better mileage. Go easy on the junk food, stop when you're tired, and take time to see the sights.
If you can plan it, try to hit Sams Club for gas. In Ohio they are 20 cents lower per gallon then the lowest gas station. The car rides nice with the tires at 49 and 47 PSI.
Changing drivers only when refilling the tank is too infrequent even on many non-hybrids -- 330 to 400 miles on my old cars. On a Prius, it is a recipe for serious road hypnosis. Two other gas price resources: Gas Buddy (this particular link is to a color coded map) Gas Price Watch Both sites use volunteer spotters, and participation varies. The later has sharply declined in my area.
Isn't it not not safe to go over the psi posted on the sidewalk of the tires? Just wondering because I will be going on a trip in a month from Illinois to Alabama.
Thanks to all that responded! Definitely the kind of stuff I'm looking for. We're very used to road trips as we've crossed the country a few times driving, but we're always looking for tips that we might not have done before. Definitely a first in a Prius. The trip is in a couple of months away but we're starting to prepare. I'm sure I'll hear more tips in the days/weeks ahead. Awesome group!
Correct, stay under the warning on the tire itself. (for some Prius tires this is as low as 44 PSI, or as high as 51 PSI) Higher pressures usually mean better mileage but worse ride.
We're headed from Vegas to Vancouver, round trip, in July. Can't wait. However, the car load will not be light with the hockey gear in the back.
Does this means that if my tires say 44psi max I can have it at 44psi considering that I am at or below the indicated load on the side wall of the tire?
This is very true. I'm in the middle of my first long trip: near Kansas City, MO to Richmond, KY. Stopped once for gas, but I needed to stop two more times. If you are in a hurry and doing Interstates and not blue highways, you get to see how well-appointed the rest stops are. Caculated MPG for 580 miles: 49.5 doing 70 on the interstate running AC. The car still has less than 2000 miles.
On the Gen II Prius there is a 2 PSI offset front to back. As I left room for error, (I know me) I run 42 PSI in front and 40 PSI in back. I am not up to speed on a 2010 enough to know if there is different PSI front to back on it. If so, try to preserve the ratio. Gen II tire wear looked just like the 'under inflated' examples in Driver's Ed. 40 years ago. Art's Automotive wants to maintain and repair your hybrid! (near the end of the Prius Second Generation)
